A gaming system includes a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and one or more electronic input devices. The gaming system further includes game-logic circuitry configured to randomly select a first plurality of symbols to populate a symbol array and to randomly select a second plurality of symbols with respective attributes. The game-logic circuitry is further configured to apply attributes of active symbols in the second plurality of symbols that match symbols in any winning symbol combination formed by the first plurality of symbols, wherein the attributes associated with matching ones of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols have an accumulative effect when applied. An award is awarded for the winning combinations in accordance with the applied attributes.
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1. A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including game-logic circuitry and a regulated gaming machine, the gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, the gaming machine including one or more electronic display devices and one or more electronic input devices, the method comprising: detecting, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance; initiating the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance; randomly selecting, by the game-logic circuitry, a first plurality of symbols to populate a symbol array; displaying the first plurality of symbols in the symbol array on at least one of the one or more electronic display devices; randomly selecting, by the game-logic circuitry, a second plurality of symbols with respective attributes; displaying the second plurality of symbols and their respective attributes on at least one of the one or more electronic display devices; applying the attributes of active symbols in the second plurality of symbols that match symbols in any winning symbol combination formed by the first plurality of symbols, wherein the attributes associated with matching ones of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols are accumulated when applied; awarding, by the game-logic circuitry, an award for the winning combinations in accordance with the applied attributes; and receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.
A gaming system operates a casino wagering game on a regulated gaming machine. The system detects a physical item representing monetary value (e.g., cash, ticket) establishing a credit balance. Upon wager input, the game logic randomly selects a first set of symbols to populate a symbol array displayed on a screen. It then randomly selects a second set of symbols, each with associated attributes, also displayed on screen. The system applies attributes from "active" symbols in the second set that match symbols forming winning combinations in the first array. These matching attributes accumulate. Finally, the system awards a prize based on the winning combinations, modified by the applied attributes, and allows cashout.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the attributes include one or more of a multiplier value, a free game, a jackpot, a multi-directional win, a scatter win, or a symbol substitution.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the attributes applied to winning symbols from the second set of symbols include multiplier values (increasing payout), free games (awarding additional plays), jackpots (triggering large payouts), multi-directional wins (allowing wins across different patterns), scatter wins (awarding wins based on symbol count regardless of position), or symbol substitution (wild symbols). These attributes enhance the standard gameplay and winning possibilities.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the attributes are applied to one or more of the symbols from the second plurality of symbols that appear in and contribute to winning symbol combinations in the symbol array.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the attributes derived from the second set of symbols are specifically applied to symbols within the main symbol array that directly contribute to forming winning combinations. The second set of symbols effectively boosts the payout or modifies the behavior of symbols actively involved in creating a winning line or pattern on the primary game grid.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, an activation input that selects the number of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the player can select the number of "active" symbols from the second set of symbols. This selection is done via an input device on the gaming machine. The activation input determines how many of the symbols in the second set can potentially contribute their attributes to the winning combinations in the main symbol array.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the number of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols is based on wager size.
In the gaming system described in claim 4, the number of active symbols selected from the second set is directly related to the wager size made by the player. A larger wager allows the player to activate more symbols from the second set, increasing the potential for attribute application and, consequently, higher winnings.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the first plurality of symbols in the symbol array are initially displayed as mystery symbols.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, some symbols in the first set of symbols (the main symbol array) are initially displayed as "mystery symbols." These mystery symbols have a hidden value or identity that is revealed later, adding an element of suspense and anticipation to the game before revealing the outcome.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of symbols and their respective attributes are displayed prior to the displaying of the first plurality of symbols in the symbol array.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the second set of symbols with their associated attributes are displayed on the screen before the first set of symbols in the main symbol array are shown. This gives the player advance knowledge of the potential modifiers or bonuses that could apply to the upcoming game round.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of symbols further includes a wild multiplier that is applicable to all winning combinations, the wild multiplier being associated with all symbols.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the second set of symbols includes a "wild multiplier" symbol. This symbol acts as a wildcard for all other symbols, meaning it can complete any winning combination. It also applies a multiplier to the payout of any winning combination it contributes to, regardless of the specific symbols involved.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of symbols to populate symbol array are borne by a plurality of spinning reels, and the second plurality of symbols with the respective attributes are borne by a single spinning reel adjacent to the plurality of spinning reels, the single spinning reel stopping before a first spinning reel of the plurality of spinning reels.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, the first set of symbols are displayed on a plurality of spinning reels (traditional slot machine). The second set of symbols and associated attributes are displayed on a single spinning reel positioned next to the main reels. The single reel stops spinning before the first reel of the main set of reels stops.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein each symbol of the first plurality of symbols and each symbol of the second plurality of symbols is randomly selected from symbols of a single pay table.
In the gaming system described in claim 1, both the first set of symbols (main symbol array) and the second set of symbols with attributes are randomly selected from the same pay table. This means both sets of symbols draw from the same pool of available symbols, ensuring a consistent and balanced game experience.
11. A gaming system, comprising: a regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, the gaming machine including an electronic display device and one or more electronic input devices; and game-logic circuitry configured to: detect, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, initiate the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, randomly select a first plurality of symbols to populate a symbol array, display the first plurality of symbols in the symbol array on the electronic display device, randomly select a second plurality of symbols with respective attributes, display the second plurality of symbols and their respective attributes on the electronic display device, apply the attributes of active symbols in the second plurality of symbols that match symbols in any winning symbol combination formed by the first plurality of symbols, wherein the attributes associated with matching ones of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols have an accumulative effect when applied, award an award for the winning combinations in accordance with the applied attributes, and receive, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.
A gaming system includes a regulated gaming machine for casino wagering games. The machine has a display and input devices. Game logic detects monetary input establishing a credit balance. Upon wager, it randomly selects a first set of symbols for a displayed array and a second set of symbols with attributes, also displayed. Attributes of "active" matching symbols from the second set are applied cumulatively to winning combinations in the first array. A prize is awarded based on winning combinations and applied attributes. The system also handles cashout.
12. The gaming system of claim 11 , further including a random element generator configured to generate one or more random elements, the outcome being randomly selected based, at least in part, on the one or more random elements.
The gaming system from claim 11 includes a random element generator that introduces randomness into the game. The outcome of the game is partly based on these random elements, ensuring unpredictability and fairness.
13. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein the random element generator and the game-logic circuitry reside within a gaming cabinet of the gaming machine.
The gaming system described in claim 12, has the random element generator and the game-logic circuitry housed within the gaming cabinet of the gaming machine. This consolidation simplifies the hardware architecture and ensures tighter integration of the random number generation with the game logic.
14. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the attributes include one or more of a multiplier value, a free game, a jackpot, a multi-directional win, a scatter win, or a symbol substitution.
The gaming system from claim 11 uses attributes that include multiplier values (increasing payouts), free games (awarding extra plays), jackpots (triggering big wins), multi-directional wins (allowing wins in different directions), scatter wins (wins based on symbol count), or symbol substitution (wildcards). These attributes modify standard symbol outcomes and payout structures.
15. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to receive, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, an activation input that selects the number of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols.
In the gaming system from claim 11, the game logic can receive input that selects the number of active symbols from the second set of symbols. The player can choose how many of the bonus symbols will be available to modify the main symbol array's payouts.
16. The gaming system of claim 15 , wherein the number of the active symbols in the second plurality of symbols is based on wager size.
In the gaming system from claim 15, the number of active symbols selected from the second set is based on the wager size. Higher wagers enable more active bonus symbols, potentially leading to larger attribute applications.
17. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of symbols and their respective attributes are displayed prior to the displaying of the first plurality of symbols in the symbol array.
In the gaming system from claim 11, the second set of symbols and their associated attributes are displayed before the first set of symbols in the main symbol array. This offers the player insight into potential bonuses before the primary game outcome is revealed.
18. A regulated gaming machine primarily dedicated to playing at least one casino wagering game, comprising: an electronic display device; one or more electronic input devices, and game-logic circuitry configured to: detect, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, initiate the casino wagering game in response to an input indicative of a wager covered by the credit balance, spin and stop a plurality of symbol-bearing reels to display a first plurality of symbols on the electronic display device, the first plurality of symbols being selected from symbols of a pay table, spin and stop a single symbol-bearing reel to display a second plurality of symbols with respective attributes on the electronic display device, the single reel being displayed adjacent to the plurality of reels, the second plurality of symbols being selected from symbols of the pay table, apply the attributes of active symbols in the second plurality of symbols that match symbols in any winning symbol combination formed by the first plurality of symbols, the attributes associated with matching ones of the symbols in the second plurality of symbols having an accumulative effect when applied, award an award for the winning combination in accordance with the applied attributes, and receive, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance.
A regulated gaming machine for casino games has a display, input devices, and game logic. The logic detects monetary input for a credit balance. Upon wager, it spins reels to display a first set of symbols from a pay table. A single adjacent reel spins to show a second set of symbols with attributes, also from the pay table. Attributes of active matching symbols from the second set are applied cumulatively to winning combinations in the first set. A prize is awarded based on the winning combinations and applied attributes, and the system handles cashout.
19. The regulated gaming machine of claim 18 , wherein the single reel stops spinning before a first spinning reel of the plurality of reels.
In the gaming machine described in claim 18, the single reel bearing the second set of symbols (with attributes) stops spinning before the first reel of the main set of reels comes to a halt. This staggered reveal sequence builds anticipation.
20. The regulated gaming machine of claim 18 , wherein the number of active symbols in the second plurality of symbols is based on a wager size.
In the gaming machine described in claim 18, the number of active symbols in the second set of symbols is determined by the wager size. Increasing the bet amount allows for more of the attribute-bearing symbols to potentially modify the payout of the primary game.
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July 30, 2015
September 19, 2017
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